Search This Blog

Loading...

Friday, November 16, 2007

Memphis 63, Oklahoma 53

Dorsey Leads No. 3 Memphis to 63-53 Victory Over OklahomaMemphis advances in the semifinals of the 2K Sports College Hoop ClassicNov. 15, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Joey Dorsey, who missed the first two games of the season with a shoulder injury, came back in a big way for No. 3 Memphis, finishing with nine points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in the Tigers' 63-53 victory over Oklahoma on Thursday night in the semifinals of the 2K Sports College Hoop Classic.

Memphis (3-0) will face Connecticut, which beat Gardner-Webb 78-66, on Friday night at Madison Square Garden in the championship game of the tournament that benefits Coaches vs. Cancer.

After trailing 35-25 at halftime, the Sooners got within 45-40 on a fastbreak dunk by Austin Johnson with 12 minutes to play.

Memphis then went on a 10-3 run of which Rose had the final seven points, the last two on free throws after a technical foul was called against Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel. It was Memphis' first 12-point lead of the game and the Tigers would match it two more times.

Dorsey sprained his right shoulder during practice and didn't play in the Tigers' season-opening wins over Tennessee-Martin and Richmond. The 6-foot-9 senior was a force in the middle throughout, especially on the defensive end.

The Tigers are coming off consecutive regional final appearances in the NCAA tournament and with all five starters back from last season, Rose has been one of the impact freshmen in the country.

He was the MVP of the Memphis regional for this tournament and despite an off-night shooting, he was still a big factor getting the Tigers out in the open court.

Oklahoma freshman Blake Griffin, who averaged 16.3 points in the Sooners' first three games, finished with eight as Memphis' forwards took turns guarding him.

Memphis is 6-0 all-time against Oklahoma with the previous victory in the opening round of last year's EA Sports Maui Invitational.